What Chemicals Are Present in Secondhand Vape Emissions?

Zeptive
7d
3 min read

Key Points:

Secondhand vape emissions contain harmful chemicals, not just “harmless water vapor.”
Many of these substances are known irritants, toxins, or carcinogens.
Even brief exposure can affect vulnerable populations like children and those with asthma.

When someone vapes, they’re not just affecting their own health. The aerosol released, often mistaken for “harmless vapor”, can linger in the air and impact others nearby. This is called secondhand vape exposure, and its risks are frequently underestimated.

So, what’s actually in that cloud of vapor?

The Truth About Vape Aerosol

Unlike cigarette smoke, vape emissions are made up of aerosolized liquid, tiny particles suspended in the air. However, this doesn’t make them safe. In fact, studies have identified dozens of chemicals in secondhand vape emissions, many of which are harmful to inhale. Key chemicals include:

Nicotine: The addictive substance in tobacco products; exposure in children and teens can impact brain development.
Ultrafine particles: These microscopic solids can embed deep in the lungs and trigger respiratory issues.
Propylene Glycol & Vegetable Glycerin: While often used in food products, inhalation can irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Including substances like benzene (found in car exhaust) and toluene (linked to neurological effects).
Heavy Metals: Such as lead, nickel, and chromium, often released from the device’s heating elements.
Formaldehyde & Acetaldehyde: Chemicals formed when vape liquids are overheated, both classified as potential carcinogens.

Who’s Most at Risk?

Even brief exposure to secondhand vape aerosol can affect:

Children and Teens: Exposure to nicotine and toxins during development can have lasting health consequences.
People with Asthma or Respiratory Conditions: Vape aerosol can trigger asthma attacks or worsen chronic conditions.
School Staff and Students: In environments where vaping occurs indoors, non-users can still be exposed throughout the day.
Pregnant Individuals: Chemicals in aerosol may pose developmental risks to the fetus.

Is Secondhand Exposure Regulated?

While many schools and public buildings have banned vaping indoors, vape emissions are not yet as tightly regulated as cigarette smoke. This gap in policy can give a false sense of safety, especially in schools, dormitories, or shared living spaces.

Detection devices, like Zeptive vape detectors, can help schools enforce no-vaping policies and protect everyone on campus, not just those who choose not to vape.

What Schools and Parents Can Do

Educate: Share facts about the risks of secondhand vape exposure with students, parents, and staff.
Enforce: Use detection technology to monitor for vaping in high-risk areas like bathrooms and stairwells.
Support: Offer resources to help students quit, including programs like Playbl’s smokeSCREEN and ReFresh. These games boosts awareness of the risks of vaping and smoking. Together, these games help schools empower students to make healthier and more informed choices.

The Bottom Line

Secondhand vape emissions aren’t just an inconvenience, they’re a real health risk. From nicotine to heavy metals, the chemicals in vape aerosol can affect everyone who shares the air.

By educating your community and enforcing strong no-vaping policies, schools and families can better protect those most vulnerable. By The Zeptive Team

References:

Allen, J. G., et al. “Flavoring Chemicals in E-Cigarettes: Diacetyl, 2,3-Pentanedione, and Acetoin in a Sample of 51 Products.” Environmental Health Perspectives, 124(6), 733–739.
Schripp, T., et al. “Does E-Cigarette Consumption Cause Passive Vaping?” Indoor Air, 23(1), 25–31.
Fuoco, F. C., et al. “Influential Parameters on Particle Concentration and Size Distribution in the Mainstream of E-Cigarettes.” Environmental Pollution, 184, 523–529.
Olmedo, P., et al. “Metal Concentrations in E-Cigarette Liquid and Aerosol Samples.”Environmental Health Perspectives, 126(2).